Editorial: We believe change is overdue

The
Hutchinson Collegian stands by our previous newspaper regarding catcalling on
campus. Catcalling has not only been an issue, but for many years it has gone
under the rug with little to no action taken.

And
though it is prevalent on pretty much all college campuses, Hutchinson
Community College shouldn’t use that excuse to not do anything about the
matter.

Some
previous students who now attend four-year schools have come forward and stated
that HutchCC’s campus is worse about catcalling and that they feel safer on
their campus (Fort Hays State University and Wichita State University were
mentioned in public messages sent to us on Twitter).

One
current student said that she switched to online schooling because she felt it
was safer.

Another
message to us indicated a 14-year-old girl used to walk home from Hutchinson
High School, but she switched routes due to her being catcalled while walking
on HutchCC’s campus.

Fourteen.

We stand with the innocent

We
are with the women being catcalled and harassed, and with men who don’t catcall
and might get mixed in with others by association.

We
understand that not all in one group or team is responsible, and that there are
others outside of athletics, or on different teams, who participate in offering
lewd comments at women, but if you feel that your team is being singled out as
the ones who catcall, look at the situation at hand and tell your teammates or
friends to knock it off. Stand up for women being publicly humiliated. Show
that you can be decent human beings. Please.

Stop
taking sexual harassment as a joke and start proving yourselves worthy of being
honorable men.

We
were not expecting the outcome from the last edition to be directed to the women
who came forward. It was to prove the issue of catcalling and send a message
that this has to stop.

To
those who do catcall, or worse, and continue to do so, quit blaming the ones
who were courageous enough to come forward and share their experiences. Look at
yourself and those around you who do it for fun. Even if women enjoy what you
say back home, don’t assume that the women on this campus, or anywhere else for
that matter, do too.

We stand for a change

Something
needs to change with the discipline regarding catcalling because it is such a
huge issue on campus.

To
have everyone take the sexual harassment courses is one thing, but for them to
actually follow through with it and reflect what they learn is a completely
different thing.

We
urge those with the authority to take action and help students feel safer and
happier on campus. This starts with all of us – the Board of Trustees, administration,
athletic coaches, instructors, advisors, campus security, campus clubs and
students. We all need to discuss this issue.